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November 25th, 2008

AJ’s NBA Power Rankings - November 25

By Ali Jawad | Ali Jawad's Power Rankings, NBA, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers

A recap of how the local teams fared last week…

Los Angeles Lakers

Highlights of the Week: The offense was clicking on all cylinders, averaging 109 points in three games, including a 118 point outburst against the Kings on Sunday night, in which Trevor Ariza put together one of his best all around performances of the season. 11 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Lowlights of the Week: Allowing that same shorthanded Kings squad to shoot 53% from the field en route to 108 points. Bobby Brown? Really?

The Week Ahead: The home stand continues with games against the Nets, Mavericks and Raptors.

Los Angeles Clippers

Highlights of the Week: They picked up just their second win of the season on Wednesday night in Oklahoma City. Chris Kaman led the way with 25 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and four blocks. At least they made headlines with the big Zach Randolph trade… currently in limbo due to questions about Cuttino Mobley’s heart.

Lowlights of the Week: Back-to-back road losses against the Sixers and Nets before another home loss to the New Orleans Hornets. In three games, Ricky Davis went a combined 2-19 while scoring just four points.

The Week Ahead: The Clips hit the road against the Nuggets and Heat.

This week’s NBA Power Rankings (November 18-24) with the team’s current standings and their rise/fall since last week’s rankings:

1. Los Angeles Lakers (11-1) (no change): The team’s best start since going 16-1 to open up the 2001-2002 season. We all know how they finished that year up.

2. Boston Celtics (13-2) (no change): Don’t get too sucked up in Lakers hoopla. The C’s are well on their way to another 60+ win season.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-3) (no change): With Mo Williams stabilizing the point, they’ve established themselves as a serious threat to the Celtics’ Eastern Conference reign.

4. Phoenix Suns (9-5) (no change): A good start overall, but the 4-3 home mark is a bit of a surprise. Getting handled by the Lakers last week doesn’t help their rep, though.

5. Houston Rockets (10-5) (+2): Last week’s injury scares to their Big Three haven’t slowed them down.

6. Denver Nuggets (9-5) (+8): The arrival of Chauncey Billups has fans thinking not just of the playoffs, but of the second round.

7. Utah Jazz (9-6) (+1): Injuries are starting to take a toll. Deron Williams, where are you?

8. Portland Trailblazers (9-6) (+3): They’ve won seven of ten, have Greg Oden (right) back, and plenty of confidence to make a playoff push.

9. Orlando Magic (10-4) (no change): Benefited from having nine of their first 14 games at home.

10. Detroit Pistons (8-5) (-5): Sunday’s 26 point loss to the T’Wolves was an utter embarrassment.

11. New Orleans Hornets (8-5) (-5): Chris Paul continues to play incredible ball, but the Hornets lack depth behind their core.

12. Philadelphia 76ers (7-7) (no change): Elton Brand seems to be rounding into form as this team searches for some consistency.

13. Atlanta Hawks (8-5) (-3): Josh Smith’s absence has hurt. Bad.

14. San Antonio Spurs (7-6) (+4): Manu Ginobili returned Monday night against the Grizz and scored 12 points in the win.

15. New York Knicks (7-6) (no change): Does anybody in New York care how this team performs between now and the end of the 2010 season?

16. Miami Heat (7-7) (no change): Dwayne Wade has people talking about his play on both ends of the floor.

17. Toronto Raptors (6-7) (-4): 3-7 in their past ten games despite monster numbers from Chris Bosh.

18. Dallas Mavericks (6-7) (+5): Winners of four straight. Maybe they’ve finally found a groove with J. Kidd?

19. New Jersey Nets (6-6) (+1): Devin Harris and his 23.2 ppg must be making Mark Cuban ill.

20. Chicago Bulls (7-8) (-3): Derrick Rose (right) continues to show why he was chosen as the top player in last June’s draft.

21. Milwaukee Bucks (7-9) (-2): Andrew Bogut (11.4 ppg, 10.9 rpg) left Monday night’s loss to the Magic with a bruised knee.

22. Indiana Pacers (5-7) (no change): Danny Granger is leading the team in points, field goal percentage, blocks and steals.

23. Golden State Warriors (5-8) (-2): Andris Biedrins (16.8 ppg, 13.5 rpg) has been one of the most improved players in the league.

24. Sacramento Kings (5-11) (+1): How much longer do the Maloofs stick with Reggie Theus?

25. Charlotte Bobcats (4-9) (+1): First Kwame Brown, now Adam Morrison. Michael Jordan sure knows how to pick ‘em.

26. Memphis Grizzlies (4-10) (-1): The talent is there, but still a couple of years away from making noise.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-9) (+2): Randy Foye’s 23 points and 14 assists against the Pistons is more of what the T’Wolves have been expecting from the young guard.

28. Washington Wizards (1-10) (-1): Fair or not, Eddie Jordan was fired Monday for the team’s horrendous start.

29. Los Angeles Clippers (2-12) (-1): Can the arrival of Randolph get their season jump started?

30. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-13) (no change): The firing of P.J. Carlesimo isn’t going to do much to improve their chances of winning.

Discuss:

1 Response to “AJ's NBA Power Rankings - November 25”

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1 Ish Nov 25th, 2008 at 12:55 pm

No Respect given to the Orlando Magic!! How can you have teams 4 -7 Ahead of the Magic!! 1st The Magic have a better record, true not always the best scale to measure who is better - but, remeber the magic started off to a slow start, horrible shooting % - And they still have a better record than any of the teams 4-7 “ranked” ahead of them????? How about head to head match ups? Doesn’t that count? Isn’t that the best scale to use when measuring, which team is better in your “Power Rankings”! Magic should be @ #4, or @#5 @ worst w/ the Rockets moving up- (who beat the Magic, with Dwight Howard in Foul Trouble & Hedo Turk*** out with the flu!!)

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